Tag Archives: Alice Waters

Food Fight the Movie

I caught Food Fight at the Projecting Change film festival this weekend and have to say I was a little disappointed.

The film contained some great background info on the politics of food production in the US and was a who’s who of high profile food advocates like Michael Pollan and Alice Waters. But somehow I was ultimately left feeling not quite satisfied.

More time was spent interviewing apparently famous chefs (I wouldn’t know) running high end restaurants, and less on the actual fight we have on our hands to get a hold of fresh, local food. I agree chefs are great advocates of the movement, but it felt a little as though if you don’t dine at high end restaurants, you’re out of luck.

I would have liked to know more about the regulations that ensure the continued plight of farmers, what we can do to influence change, and how eating local can help farmers in the “food fight.” (The film Tableland does a good job of adding some perspective on that issue.)

All in all Food Fight contained some great insight into the food industry machine that keeps our shelves stocked with a wide variety of tasteless, un-nutritional food and limits our access to alternatives. I just left a little hungry for more substance.

Wishes Come True, A Garden at the White House

At the end of her interview with Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes, Alice Waters talks about her ongoing campaign to have a garden planted on the grounds of the White House.

Ms. Stahl and some of Ms. Waters detractors may think she’s only a dreamer, but folks, dreams can come true when you have a vision! The New York Times today reported that the White House will indeed have a garden — an 1,100 sq. ft. one at that.

Hmmm, I think urban gardening has just gone mainstream.

Alice Waters Interview, 60 Minutes

In an interview with Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes, Alice Waters of Chez Panisse fame is touted as the “mother of the slow food movement.” While technically, this takes license with the facts (the Slow Food Movement started in Italy in the 1980’s), she could rightly be referred to as an initial champion of the concept in the US.

While many viewers, judging from comments on the CBS website, take issue with her “arrogance” (personally, I don’t see it), I think she’s been a very successful advocate in raising awareness and standards of what constitutes good tasting, quality food . And, as with any cause, it’s only when someone steps into the limelight that the general public hears about it. (Uhm, was mainstream media interviewing Ms. Waters all the years she sweating in the kitchen?)

Does the 60 Minutes clip tell the whole story? No. Can any sound byte do that? No. Does it spread the word? Yes.

If people are talking — even if they are arguing — at least there is dialogue. Frankly, I think it’s great that there is some controversy, it just helps give the topic more airplay.

Check it out for yourself and feel free to send us your comments…